Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The final Friday of the course means the final BLOG of the course, as well! Follow the instructions, as usual...

A) Find a picture to start your last blog! Maybe something that represents the semester or it's end or the course or something else appropriate!

B) You are the first class in ECDrury history to try this 'semester of blogging' experiment. If you could reflect on it a little bit next, that would be appreciated. Your feedback will help for future years of 'bloggers'.

1) Overall, did you like or dislike "Friday Blog-days"?

2) What was your favourite blog of the semester (you may need to look back through your blog)?

3) What was your least favourite blog activity?

4) What other blog activities do you think students might like?

C) Every course I like to ask students what they thought to try to improve it in the future.

1) What was your favourite activity/part of the class this semester? Why?

2) What was you least enjoyable activity/part of the course? How could it be made better?

3) Who was your favourite famous person we studied? What other famous person do you think students would like to find out about?

D) Look around (electronically) at the work on these blogs that your classmates have done this semester. Surf through some of them, read them, and comment on at LEAST 4 different people's blogs. (remember to be appropriate) List who you have commented on at the bottom of your own blog.

E) Sign off on your blog with a good-bye message to any potential readers!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Your SUMMATIVE project (worth 20% of your mark) is creating a "How to..." project! If you pick something you like, something you're good at and/or something you're interested in, you might even have fun doing this very important project.Here are some video "How To"s to watch.(If one isn't downloading well, go to the next one and return to the original one later.)Magic Trick:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXeamc7e31c&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8r8Af0qJvc&feature=channel_pageTODAY'S ASSIGNMENT: Here is what you need to "Blog" about:a) Which is you favourite? b) Why?c) What tip is the most important?d) If you were to add a tip to improve the "how to" what would you suggest? (Please add something!)Not long ago, a student handed in a brilliant "How to" project. It looked like this: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2buildadeck. Unfortunatley it was PLAGERIZED from the internet. Use the internet to get ideas or cite sources if you use them as a resource, but this project is meant to come from your own knowledge and experience. Choose something you're good at and have fun!!! (Needless to say the afore mentioned student got a zero and failed the course - plagerism is the worst academic crime possible!)The internet can be a useful tool. If you have an idea, check out some tips here, if you wish. (If they have it.)http://www.ehow.com/

or

http://www.wikihow.com/Main-PageWhen your blog is done, you are free to research your "how to" topic on google, wikipedia or anywhere else you would like on the internet! Try to narrow down your choice soon! Write everything in your own words! Feel free to download any pictures you might find useful in this project.

Monday, May 11, 2009

LAST BOOK UNIT PROJECTYou now have some time to work on the 4 different sections of this project. Some ideas for using computer time to your advantage:A - Character - make sure your Facebook page is full of things that apply to your character and what they did in the novel. Please put your own name somewhere obvious.B - Book Back - word process this so that grammar and spelling are correct. Use some proof readers. Why not get some pictures or quotes and make it look like a REAL book back?C - Setting - maybe there are some images or headings that you could print off to make your setting work look even better!D - Themes - word process your list and your 3 paragraphs to be sure they are edited correctly. Again, USE PROOFREADERS!!!Use you computer time well to get the best marks possible!Mr. F.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Today you will create a facebook page for your favourite character. Many students will choose Spaz or Lanaya, but Little Face, Ryter, Billy Bizmo, Lotti Getz, and other characters are options as well!

Sign into Facebook by creating a new identity (one of the characters!). You may need a secondary email account to do this.

Before you get too far into building a character, make a FRIEND REQUEST with "Mean Ol' Featherstone" - that's your teacher. The whole class will be linked to this page. You can 'FRIEND' other classmates, as well, of course.

Fill in the FACEBOOK PAGE as if YOU ARE the character. Include pictures, likes, dislikes, etc...maybe links or lists that apply. Explore the platform, but make everything suitable for that character!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

1) How old was he when he was first published? How long did this take?

2) What do you think makes him a good writer?

Next, today's blog asks you to find images that fit our class novel. Use an image search site like google image, choose your key words carefully, and select the best pictures possible.Find an image that fits each of the following. Put them in today's blog.A) SpazB) RyterC) Little FaceD) The Proov GirlE) A Monkey BoyFor each, put a heading. Explain why each picture fits the character.

Done early? EDIT!!! Look at some of your classmates' sites. Make comments. Are you sure that YOU are fully caught up?

Monday, March 23, 2009

Before we begin a) read the 'tips' on the right and b) read 2 NEW classmates' entries and comment upon them.

Read this description of Cyberpunk.

Definition of Cyberpunk"Cyberpunk" is a sub-genre of Science fiction. It deals with slightly futuristic settings where computers, cybernetics and technology have affected our society. Often these worlds are dark and damaged - sometimes called "Dystopias". The stereotypical cyberpunk novel is positively dripping with chromed artificial limbs, bizarre prostheses used to ill ends, futuristic slang and lingo, crazed artificial intelligences and genetic manipulation run amok. The concept is more subtle than that, however. The underlying aesthetic is often one of going beyond the flesh. Drugs are a prominent feature of many cyberpunk books as are powerful Corperations and government powers, "underground" subcultures, as well as a variety of vices and crimes.

The most famous Cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer by W. Gibson, has a character named Case that "jacks" into the Matrix not just for work, but for liberation from the "meat"--the ability to play unfettered in a purely mental arena, a "consensual hallucination." Similar ideas have been used in the Matrix movies. Bladerunner,Aeon Flux and Total Recall are other examples of cyberpunk influenced movies. There are computer games and Anime that involve this genre, as well. Ideas from this can also be found in our class novel, The Last Book in the Universe.

ii) Find a picture of someone you don't recognise (ie. not a movie star) that you like that fits the idea of 'cyberpunk' as discussed above!

iii) Copy the picture into your blog.

4) Write a character description about the 'person' you selected. Some considerations: What is their name? Physical traits/powers? Personality? What do they like to do? Do they have a job? Do they have friends? Enemies? What does their home look like? Hobbies? Favourite food? Music?

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Famous people, big money, product promotion and your thoughts about these ideas are what you will be exploring today!

Before you start, read at least two blogs that other classmates wrote last week and comment on them. Be nice!

A) Here you will find some pictures (9 pages of them, actually) of celebrity advertisements. Look through them.http://www.frankwbaker.com/ca1.htmi) Which one do you like the most? Why? Would you buy the product?Paste their advertisement below your answer.ii) Which one do you like the least? Why?

iii) Michael Phelps, multi-gold medal winning swimmer, has been dropped by Kelloggs after a picture of him smoking an illegal substance was exposed. Do you think this is right? (1 paragraph, min.)

D) i) Copy a picture of the famous person you are studying to your blog.ii) Copy a picture of a product they might promote. (hint: use google images to find almost any product or person)iii) Tell us why you chose this product.

Done early? Research your famous person or find images of them that you might use in your project!

E) When you have finished writing your blog to this point, stand up and yell, "Chicken lips"!!! If you do this too early, you must walk around the class flapping your wings and sounding like a chicken.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

As mentioned in class, you need a jpeg picture of your face to do this one.

1) Download your picture to your desktop for easy access.2) Sign up for an account athttp://www.faceinhole.com/ 3) Look through the many different "people" you can put your face on. Choose one that you want to use.4) Click on it and follow the instructions. Manipulate your face to make it match the "hole".5) Save it on your account - then you can save it to your desk top.6) Put the picture on today's blog. (If you wish to permanently save any pictures, save them to your G drive).7) Write an entry under your picture. You may want to address such topics as- Why did you choose that picture?- How did it turn out, in your opinion?- What do you think about the famous person you have used?- Did you have fun creating your picture?You may use this new picture as your profile picture, if you like (especially if you don't have one yet).

Done early? Look at some other blogs and comment if you wish, or try another "face in hole"!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Monday, February 9, 2009

Hi there, folks, and welcome back to blogging. Here are today's tasks:1) Please sign up to be a "Follower" of this blog. That way your class mates can explore your blog.2) Read AT LEAST 2 other blogs from 2 or more of your classmates. Please comment on at least 2 of them!3) http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/valentine/Follow this link and read quotes about Valentine's Day. Choose one you like anda) copy it onto your Blogb) tell us why you like it/why you chose it

4) Check out and read the article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11272013/What do you think is the best gift to recieve for Valentine's day? Why?What is the worst gift you have ever heard of for Valentine's day? Tell us the story.(post your ideas on this/answers on your blog)5) a) What would be the ideal Valentine's Day for you with a partner?b) What would be the ideal Valentine's Day for you if you were single?If you finish this, here are some fun activities:Look up "worst Valentine's gifts" on a search engine.Look up "history Valentine's day" on a search engine.Try: http://www.funmunch.com/events/valentine/valentine_day_game_1.shtml

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Your task today is to create your own blogger profile and set up your first blog. Play around with the site, fill in your profile, check out other blogs on the net, etc.

When you have a basic first blog, respond to this one by hitting "comments" and include the http of your blog. It will be included on a list for the class to see and check out.

If you have extra time, look at blogs on the net that deal with subjects you are interested. Use an internet search site and plug in the word "blog" and key words that interest you, such as a band name, topic, famous person, etc.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

This is an experiment we will be attempting to allow you to write, reflect and respond to a variety of activities during the course. Feel free to write your ideas and opinions here, but remember that anyone can see what you write; be a responsible blogger!

TIPS ETC

A) Please remember to stay class appropriate. If you see something on a classmate's blog that isn't, please let me know immediately!B) Read the comments people make on your blogs.C) If you missed any blogs (due to absence, etc.), be sure to make them up!D) What will Mr. F. see? Click yourself from the "followers" below and see what I and others see when viewing your blog.